Detection device

ABSTRACT

A detection device includes at least one detection module communicatively coupled with a communication device. The detection module includes a controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna. The first antenna receives first electromagnetic signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of a first vehicle. The first antenna receives second electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within an interior of a second vehicle. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of antennae based on the first electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna. The controller circuit determines a position of the communication device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of antennae based on the second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

This disclosure generally relates to a detection device that determinesa position of a communication device relative to a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a detection device in accordance with oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a localization protocol broadcast by avehicle of FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a detection device in accordance withanother embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a detection device in accordance with yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a detection device in accordance with yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the detection device of FIG. 1 installed ina vehicle in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7A is an illustration of a broadcast sequence from the vehicle ofFIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of another broadcast sequence from thevehicle of FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8A is an illustration of a driver zone within the interior of thevehicle of FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a plot of received signal strength indicator values from thevehicle in FIG. 8A in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9A is another illustration of a driver zone within the interior ofthe vehicle in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a plot of the received signal strength indicator values fromthe vehicle in FIG. 9A in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 10A is an illustration of another driver zone within the interiorof the vehicle of FIG. 6 in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a plot of received signal strength indicator values from thevehicle in FIG. 10A in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11A is an illustration of the detection device of FIG. 1 with keyfob functions integrated into a back side of a mobile phone inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11B is an illustration of the detection device of FIG. 1 with keyfob functions integrated into an accessory of the mobile phone inaccordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11C is an illustration of a graphical user interface of thedetection device of FIG. 1 with key fob functions integrated into amobile phone display in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 11D is an illustration of another graphical user interface of thedetection device of FIG. 1 with key fob functions integrated into amobile phone display in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a detection method in accordancewith another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However,it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the variousdescribed embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a detection device 10. As will bedescribed in more detail below, the detection device 10 may providevarious improvements over other detection systems. For example, thedetection device 10 may reduce occurrences of distracted driving from acommunication device 12 accessible to an operator of a vehicle 14 bydisabling the communication device 12 when likely used by the operator,and may be used in multiple vehicles. As used herein, the communicationdevice 12 may be a smartphone, a computer, a tablet, a laptop, awearable device (e.g., a smartwatch, etc.) or any other portable devicethat allows a communication with at least one other device and/or othersystem.

The detection device 10 includes at least one detection module 16communicatively coupled with the communication device 12. The detectionmodule 16 includes at least one controller circuit 18 (see FIGS. 3-5 )communicatively coupled with a first antenna 20. The controller circuit18 may include a processor (not shown) such as a microprocessor or othercontrol circuitry such as analog and/or digital control circuitry. Thecontrol circuitry may include one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or mayinclude one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed toperform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware,memory, other storage, or a combination. The controller circuit 18 mayalso combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with customprogramming to accomplish the techniques. The controller circuit 18 mayinclude a memory or storage media (not shown), including non-volatilememory, such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM) for storing one or more routines, thresholds, and captureddata. The EEPROM stores data and allows individual bytes to be erasedand reprogrammed by applying special programming signals. The controllercircuit 18 may include other examples of non-volatile memory, such asflash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory(PROM), and erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM). Thecontroller circuit 18 may include volatile memory, such as dynamicrandom-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM). The oneor more routines may be executed by the processor to perform steps fordetermining a position 21 of the communication device 12 within thefirst vehicle 14 based on signals received by the controller circuit 18from the detection module 16 as described herein. In an example, thedetection module 16 includes the controller circuit 18 (i.e., thecontroller circuit 18 is integral to the detection module 16 electricalpackaging). In another example, the detection module 16 and thecontroller circuit 18 are separate devices. The detection module 16 andthe controller circuit 18 may also be included in the communicationdevice 12, as will be described in more detail below.

The first antenna 20 is configured to receive first electromagneticsignals 22 (i.e., radio frequency signals) from a first plurality ofantennae 24 located within an interior of a first vehicle 14, and isfurther configured to receive second electromagnetic signals 23 from asecond plurality of antennae 25 located within an interior of a secondvehicle 15. That is, when the detection device 10 is located within theinterior of the first vehicle 14, the first antenna 20 receives thefirst electromagnetic signals 22. When the detection device 10 islocated within the interior of the second vehicle 15, the first antenna20 receives the second electromagnetic signals 23. The first antenna 20is a three dimensional antenna to more accurately detect the first andsecond electromagnetic signals 22, 23 regardless of the orientation ofthe detection module 16. That is, the three dimensional antenna enablesthe detection module 16 to calculate a geometric average of the strengthof the first and second electromagnetic signals 22, 23 so that thestrength is not affected by the orientation of the detection module 16.

The detection module 16 is configured to receive the first and secondelectromagnetic signals 22, 23 broadcast from the first and secondplurality of antennae 24, 25 and to communicate a signal strength to thecommunication device 12 through a transmission link having standardwireless and/or wired interfaces, such as BLUETOOTH®, Wi-Fi, NFC,universal serial bus (USB), Apple Lightning, universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART), etc. Any detection module 16 suitable toreceive the first and second electromagnetic signals 22, 23 andcommunicate with the communication device 12 may be used. One suchdetection module 16 is the ATA5700/ATA5702 from Atmel Corporation of SanJose, Calif., USA.

The controller circuit 18 is further communicatively coupled with asecond antenna 26. The second antenna 26 is configured to transmit andreceive third electromagnetic signals 28 (i.e., radio frequency signals)between the controller circuit 18 and a first transceiver 30 located onthe first vehicle 14, and is configured to transmit and receive fourthelectromagnetic signals 29 between the controller circuit 18 and asecond transceiver 31 located on the second vehicle 15. The first andsecond transceiver 30, 31 may be any transceiver suitable communicatewith the second antenna 26. One such transceiver is the ATA5831/2/3transceiver from Atmel Corporation of San Jose, Calif., USA. The atleast one controller circuit 18 is further configured to transmitcommunications (e.g., RSSI Values, authorization/authentication signals,challenge response, vehicle control functions, etc.) through the secondantenna 26 to the first vehicle 14 and the second vehicle 15 based onthe first and second electromagnetic signals 22, 23 received by thefirst antenna 20. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the secondantenna 26 is configured to broadcast high frequency radio signals infrequency bands of 315 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, and 915 MHz.

The first and second plurality of antennae 24, 25 are configured tobroadcast first and second electromagnetic signals 22, 23 (i.e., radiofrequency signals) from a first transmitter 32, and a second transmitter33, respectively. In some examples, the first plurality of antennae 24are configured to transmit low frequency radio signals in a frequencyband of about 125 kHz (i.e., 100 kHz-150 kHz), such as those transmittedfrom a Passive Entry Passive Start system (PEPS system) that may beinstalled on the first and second vehicle 14, 15. In some examples, thefirst and second plurality of antennae 24, 25 are configured to transmithigh frequency radio signals in a frequency band of about 315 MHz (i.e.,260 MHz-470 MHz), such as those transmitted from a Remote Keyless Entrysystem (RKE system). In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the firstand second plurality of antennae 24, 25 are installed in the first andsecond vehicle 14, 15 as part of the PEPS system. Transmission of thelow frequency radio signals may be advantageous because the lowfrequency radio signals in the above mentioned low frequency band areable to pass through a human body with little to no distortion (i.e.,attenuation), thereby increasing an accuracy of detecting the first andsecond electromagnetic signal 22, 23 from the first and second pluralityof antennae 24, 25, the advantage of which will become evident in thefollowing paragraphs.

The first and second transmitter 32, 33 may be any transmitter suitableto broadcast the first and second electromagnetic signals 22, 23. In anexample, the first and second transmitter 32, 33 are a component of thePEPS system and/or the RKE system. The first and second transmitter 32,33 may be capable of transmitting both digital and continuous wave(i.e., analog) radio signals to the first and second plurality ofantennae 24, 25. One such device is the ATA5291, marketed as a PEPSDriver and Immobilizer Base Station, from Atmel Corporation of San Jose,Calif., USA. In an example, the first and second transmitter 32, 33 maybe programmed to transmit a localization protocol (i.e., a digitalmessage) including a preamble, a vehicle specific or universal wake-upID, and a data field that designates the message is a system broadcastfrom the first or second plurality of antennae 24, 25. The digitalmessage may be followed by a continuous wave broadcast from each of thefirst or second plurality of antennae 24, 25. An example of a digitaland continuous wave transmission is shown in FIG. 2 . As illustrated inFIG. 2 , the continuous wave portion of the broadcast representsReceived Signal Strength Indicator values 36 (RSSI values 36) (notshown) of the radio signals detected by the detection module 16. Theradio signals are broadcast from four antennae (24A-24D) that aredistributed about the interior of the first and second vehicle 14, 15.The RSSI values 36 are a measurement of the power present in thereceived radio signal. Larger RSSI values 36 indicate stronger receivedradio signals and are inversely related to a distance between the signalsource (i.e. the broadcasting antenna) and the detection module 16. Thatis, the stronger the detected radio signal (i.e., the larger RSSI value36), the shorter the distance between the broadcasting antenna and thedetection module 16.

As set forth above, in some examples, the detection device 10 mayutilize an existing first and second plurality of antennae 24, 25 fromthe PEPS system and/or the RKE system installed on the first and secondvehicle 14, 15 to generate RSSI values 36, which may be used todetermine a location of a user, such as a driver of an automobile. Insome examples, utilizing the existing first and second plurality ofantennae 24, 25 associated with the PEPS system and/or the RKE systemmay be advantageous in comparison with other techniques for determiningthe position 21 of the communication device 12 within the first andsecond vehicle 14, 15, because little or no modifications to an existingvehicle are required to determine the position 21 of the communicationdevice 12.

In other examples, other transmitters transmit signals to otherplurality of antennae located within the interior of the first andsecond vehicle 14, 15 that employ other wireless protocols to generatethe RSSI values 36. Examples of other wireless protocols includeBLUETOOTH®, Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band (UWB), or near field communication(NFC) and may utilize antennae specific to the frequency band oftransmission. In an example, the first and second transmitter 32, 33transmit high frequency radio signals having the frequency band of about2.4 GHz that are typically used by wireless local area networks (WLAN).In another example, the first and second transmitter 32, 33 transmithigh frequency radio signals having the frequency band of about 5.9 GHzthat are typically used by an intelligent transportation systems (ITS)band of Wi-Fi.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate examples where the detection device 10 includesa plurality of detection modules 16. In these examples, each of thedetection modules 16A-16D is configured (i.e., programmed, paired, etc.)to communicate with a separate vehicle. That is, detection module 16A isconfigured to communicate with the first vehicle 14, detection module16B is configured to communicate with the second vehicle 15, detectionmodule 16C is configured to communicate with a third vehicle (notshown), and detection module 16D is configured to communicate with afourth vehicle (not shown). It will be appreciated that any number ofdetection modules 16 may be included in the detection device 10, limitedby, among other things, packaging space and user preference. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 3 , each of the plurality of detectionmodules 16A-16D are communicatively coupled with a separate firstantenna 20A-20D. This example may provide the benefit of usingcomponents that may be fabricated with the first antenna 20 included inthe detection module 16 package. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 ,each of the plurality of detection modules 16A-16D are communicativelycoupled with the same first antenna 20. This example may provide thebenefit of reducing components, thereby reducing cost and complexity ofthe package.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example where the single detection device 16 thatis communicatively coupled with the first antenna 20, further includes amemory 38 communicatively coupled with the controller circuit 18. Inthis example, the memory 38 includes a plurality of programs 39A-39Dassociated with each of the first vehicle through the fourth vehicle.This example may provide the benefit of further reducing components,with a trade-off of increased memory capacity. The memory 38 may beprogrammed to associate any number of vehicles, limited by the memorycapacity. In one example, the process of programming and reprogrammingthe memory for the plurality of vehicles is conducted by a servicetechnician that has access to security protocols associated with each ofthe plurality of vehicles. In another example, the process ofprogramming and reprogramming the memory for the plurality of vehiclesis conducted by a user of the plurality of the vehicles, such as a fleetoperator and/or an owner of the plurality of the vehicles.

For illustration purposes only, the first vehicle 14 will be used todescribe the following examples of the application of the detectiondevice 10. It will be understood that the application of the detectiondevice 10 will also apply to the second vehicle 15, and/or the pluralityof vehicles. The detection device 10 is configured such to performlocalization of the communication device 12 in the first vehicle 14 withthe antenna arrangement described and shown with respect to FIG. 8A, aswell as the second vehicle 15 with the antenna arrangement shown in FIG.8A. In another example, the detection device 10 is configured such toperform localization in the first vehicle 14 with the antennaarrangement described and shown with respect to FIG. 8A, as well as thesecond vehicle 15 with the antenna arrangement shown in FIG. 10 . Thedetection device 10 described herein may be used to localize thecommunication device 12 in multiple vehicles with various antennaconfigurations, whether the antenna configurations are the same, ordifferent, between the multiple vehicles.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the first plurality of antennae 24(denoted as 24A-24E) with locations distributed about the interior ofthe first vehicle 14, and, in the example of FIG. 6 , the communicationdevice 12 is located on a front center console of the first vehicle 14.It will be appreciated that additional antennae beyond antennae 24A-24Edepicted in the example of FIG. 6 may exist within the first vehicle 14that may be associated with the PEPS system and/or the RKE system (e.g.,arranged proximate a trunk or a rear hatch of the first vehicle 14). Inthe example of FIG. 6 , the first plurality of antennae 24 include atleast one antenna 24A arranged proximate the front center console of thefirst vehicle 14, at least one antenna 24B arranged proximate a driverside door (e.g., proximate an exterior door handle or B-pillar), atleast one antenna 24C arranged proximate a front passenger side door,and at least one antenna 24D arranged proximate a rear seat of the firstvehicle 14. In an example where the first vehicle 14 does not includethe front center console, antenna 24A may be arranged proximate a centerof a lower dash of the first vehicle 14. In an optional example, thefirst plurality of antennae 24 include at least one antenna 24E arrangedproximate a steering wheel of the first vehicle 14, such as beneath aheadliner of the vehicle's 14 interior trim, or below a driver's seat tomore accurately detect the position 21 of the communication device 12relative to the first plurality of antennae 24. In an example, antennae24A and 24B may be omitted from the system and replaced by antenna 24E,reducing both cost and complexity of the system.

The controller circuit 18 is configured to determine the position 21 ofthe communication device 12 within the interior of the first vehicle 14relative to the locations of the first plurality of antennae 24. Thecontroller circuit 18 determines the position 21 based on the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 broadcast from each of the antennae 24A-24Dusing the RSSI values 36. In order for the controller circuit 18 todetermine the position 21 of the communication device 12, the controllercircuit 18 must associate the detected first electromagnetic signal 22with a specific antenna location. In an example, the first transmitter32 transmits the first electromagnetic signals 22 to the first pluralityof antennae 24 in a defined broadcast sequence 40. The detection module16 determines an identity of each of the antennae 24A-24D based on thedefined broadcast sequence 40 that is also stored in the memory of thecontroller circuit 18. For example, the broadcast sequence 40 includestransmitting a first radio signal to the antenna 24A, a second radiosignal to antenna 24B, a third radio signal to antenna 24C, and a fourthradio signal to antenna 24D. The broadcast sequence 40 is repeated at aregular time interval (every 10 seconds, for example) so that theposition 21 of the communication device 12 may be determined as thecommunication device 12 may be moved about the first vehicle 14 whilethe first vehicle 14 is in use and/or moving. Strategies to determinethe start of the broadcast sequence 40 may include two broadcasts fromantenna 24A at the beginning of each repeated broadcast sequence 40. Anexample of the broadcast sequence 40 is shown in FIG. 7A. Anotherexample of the broadcast sequence 40, where an optional antenna 24Ereplaces antennae 24 and 24B, is shown in FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A illustrates an example of a driver zone 42 within the interiorof the first vehicle 14. In this example, the operator is occupying thedriver's seat, the front passenger seat is unoccupied, and thecommunication device 12 is on a front dash of the first vehicle 14 infront of the operator. The controller circuit 18 is in furthercommunication with a vehicle controller (not shown) and furtherdetermines whether the front passenger seat is occupied based on asignal received from an occupant classification system 44 (OCS 44)installed in the first vehicle 14. In some examples, the vehiclecontroller communicates the signal from the OCS 44 to the controllercircuit 18. In other examples, the OCS 44 communicates the signal to thecontroller circuit 18. The OCS 44 detects a presence of a passenger. Insome examples, the OCS 44 detects a passenger's approximate weight. Insome examples, the OCS 44 detects the front seat passenger's seatingposition. In some examples, the OCS 44 detects the presence of thepassenger using a pressure-based system installed in the passenger seat.In other examples, the OCS 44 detects the passenger using a camera-basedsystem, that may also include thermal imaging to determine whether thepassenger is a living being. The OCS 44 may adjust an inflation force ofa passenger side air bag (i.e., supplemental restraint) based on theclassification of the occupant. The driver zone 42 defines an areawithin a reach of the driver and includes at least the driver seat andthe front passenger seat, as illustrated by the dashed outline in FIG.8A. When the communication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 (i.e.,accessible to the operator), an ability to use the communication device12 may distract the operator while driving the first vehicle 14. It willbe appreciated that distracted driving is dangerous, claiming thousandsof lives on roadways around the world each year.

The controller circuit 18 further determines whether the position 21 ofthe communication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 based on theRSSI values 36. FIG. 8B illustrates the RSSI values 36 determined by thecontroller circuit 18 from the example illustrated in FIG. 8A. As shownin FIG. 8B, at position 21, the detection module 16 detected the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 from antenna 24A has substantially largerRSSI values 36 than the first electromagnetic signals 22 from antenna24D. The controller circuit 18 determines that the position 21 of thecommunication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 when the RSSIvalues 36 of at least one antenna arranged in the front portion of theinterior of the first vehicle 14 are greater than the RSSI values 36 ofat least one antenna arranged in the rear portion of the interior of thefirst vehicle 14. That is, the controller circuit 18 determines that thecommunication device 12 is located in the front (driver or passengerseat) of the first vehicle 14, and is therefore within the defineddriver zone 42. As a result of determining that the communication device12 is within the defined driver zone 42, the controller circuit 18 mayinhibit the use of one or more functions of the communication device 12,as will be described in more detail below.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict an example in which the driver zone 42 is definedto include an area surrounding both the front driver and passenger seatsin the first vehicle 14. The example of FIGS. 8A and 8B may beadvantageous, because it enables the detection of the communicationdevice 12 within the reach of the operator (e.g., driver), andinhibiting one or more functions of communication device 12 to avoiddangerous distraction of the operator. In some cases, the exampledepicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B may be undesirable for a passengertravelling in the passenger seat of the first vehicle 14, because,although the passenger does not need to actively pay attention to thetask of operating the first vehicle 14, the passenger's communicationdevice (not depicted in FIG. 8A) may be disabled just like thecommunication device 12 of the driver.

FIG. 9A depicts one example in which the system is configured to reducea driver zone 42 within the interior of the first vehicle 14 based ondetection of a passenger in the passenger seat of the first vehicle 14.In this example, the operator is occupying the driver's seat, apassenger is occupying the front passenger seat, and the communicationdevice 12 is on the front dash of the first vehicle 14 in front of theoperator. The controller circuit 18 determines that the front passengerseat is occupied based on the signal received from the OCS 44 asdescribed above. As shown in the example of FIG. 9A, the system maycreate a reduced driver zone 42A by additionally comparing the relativeRSSI values 36 associated with antennae 24B and 24C. For example, FIG.9B illustrates the RSSI values 36 determined by the controller circuit18 from the example illustrated in FIG. 9A. As shown in FIG. 9B, atposition 21, the detection module 16 detected the first electromagneticsignals 22 from antennae 24A has substantially larger RSSI values 36than the first electromagnetic signals 22 from antenna 24D. Thecontroller circuit 18 determines that the communication device 12 islocated in the front (driver or passenger seat) of the first vehicle 14.The controller circuit 18 further determines that the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 from antenna 24B has substantially largerRSSI values 36 than the first electromagnetic signals 22 from antenna24C, and is therefore within the reduced driver zone 42A. As a result ofdetermining that the communication device 12 is within the reduceddriver zone 42A, the controller circuit 18 may inhibit the use of one ormore functions of the communication device 12, as will be described inmore detail below.

It will be appreciated that the system differentiates between thecommunication device 12 that is within the reduced driver zone 42A andanother communication device (not shown) that may be in use by the frontpassenger. In an example where the front passenger is using anothercommunication device, the RSSI values 36 of antenna 24C will besubstantially greater than the RSSI values 36 of antenna 24B. In thisexample, the controller circuit 18 may not inhibit the use of one ormore functions of one or more other communication devices (e.g., thepassenger's communication device).

FIG. 10A illustrates an example where the optional antenna 24E replacesantennae 24A and 24B, and the broadcast sequence 40 is that of FIG. 7B.As in FIG. 9A, the operator is occupying the driver's seat, thepassenger is occupying the front passenger seat, and the communicationdevice 12 is on the front dash of the first vehicle 14 in front of theoperator. The controller circuit 18 determines that the position 21 ofthe communication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 when the RSSIvalue 36 of the first electromagnetic signals 22 from antennae 24E isgreater than the RSSI value 36 of the first electromagnetic signals 22from antenna 24D.

In an example, the controller circuit 18 determines that the position 21of the communication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 when theRSSI value 36 of the first electromagnetic signals 22 from antennae 24Eis greater than a threshold. In this example, antenna 24D may be omittedfrom the determination of the position 21 of the communication device12. The threshold may be user defied and may be established based ondimensions and layout of the interior of the first vehicle 14. It willbe appreciated that when the single antenna 24E is used to determine theposition 21 of the communication device 12, a spherical detection zonemay be defined around antenna 24E, and a radius of the sphericaldetection zone is defined by the threshold.

Referring back to FIG. 9B, in an example, when the OCS 44 determines thefront passenger seat is occupied, the vehicle controller requests thefirst transmitter 32 to repeat the transmission of the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 from antenna 24B as an indication to thecontroller circuit 18 that the front passenger seat is occupied. Thecontroller circuit 18 uses this indication as a trigger event to reducethe driver zone 42 (i.e., the reduced driver zone 42A), as illustratedby the dashed outline in FIG. 9A.

In another example, the first vehicle 14 is not equipped with the OCS 44and the system is unable to determine whether a passenger is occupyingthe front passenger seat. In this example, the system defines thereduced driver zone 42A as illustrated in FIG. 9A, and employs the samelogic for determining whether the communication device 12 is within thereduced driver zone 42A as described above for FIG. 9B.

The controller circuit 18 is further configured to restrict a functionof the communication device 12 based on the position 21 of thecommunication device 12 within the first vehicle 14. When the controllercircuit 18 determines that the communication device 12 is within thedriver zone 42 or within the reduced driver zone 42A, the controllercircuit 18 enables a driving mode 46 of the communication device 12 toreduce the occurrence of distracted driving. The driving mode 46, alsoreferred to as a “do not disturb while driving” setting of thecommunication device 12, disables specific functions of thecommunication device 12, such as short message service (SMS—i.e. textmessaging), and/or incoming phone calls. Other features may berestricted based on the manufacturer's settings for the communicationdevice 12 and/or based on elections by the user of the communicationdevice 12.

As described above, the controller circuit 18 enables the driving mode46 of the communication device 12 based on the determination that thecommunication device 12 is within the driver zone 42. In anotherexample, the controller circuit 18 enables the driving mode 46 when thecommunication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 while the firstvehicle 14 is moving, and disables the driving mode 46 when thecommunication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 while the firstvehicle 14 is stopped. In an example, the controller circuit 18determines that the first vehicle 14 is moving based on signals from aninertial measurement unit (IMU—not shown) that is installed in thecommunication device 12. In another example, the controller circuit 18determines that the first vehicle 14 is moving based on signals from anIMU that is installed in the first vehicle 14. The typical IMU includesa three dimensional (3D) accelerometer, a 3D gyroscope, and a 3Dmagnetomer to detect motion. In yet another example, the controllercircuit 18 determines that the first vehicle 14 is moving based onsignals from the vehicle controller that is in communication with awheel speed sensor mounted to a wheel of the first vehicle 14.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate examples of the detection device 10 integratedwith the communication device 12. In an example, the detection module 16is installed within in the communication device 12 and may be powered bythe battery of the communication device 12. Installing the detectionmodule 16 within the communication device 12 may be beneficial byinhibiting the operator from disabling the system. Other benefits ofinstalling the detection module 16 within the communication device 12include ease of use by the user, manufacturing efficiencies, and a lowercost of packaging compared to a separate device. In another example, thedetection module 16 is installed in a battery of the communicationdevice 12 and may be powered by the battery of the communication device12. In yet another example, the detection module 16 is installed in anaccessory of the communication device 12, such as a protective case, acamera module, etc, and may be powered by the battery of thecommunication device 12. In yet another example, the detection module 16is installed in a docking station of the communication device 12 thatmay be connected to the first vehicle's 14 infotainment system.

According to the examples described above, where the detection module 16is included as part of the communication device 12 and/or is part of anaccessory of communication device 12, to prevent the user from defeatingthe restriction of functions by removing or disabling the detectionmodule 16, an operating system of the communication device 12 maydefault to the driving mode 46 when the detection module 16 is notpresent and/or disabled.

It will be appreciated that in some vehicle installations, the locationsof the first plurality of antennae 24 may not allow for a symmetricplacement of opposing antennae. For example, antenna 24B may be locatedcloser to a front of the first vehicle 14 compared to the location ofantenna 24C. In these examples of non-symmetrical antennae installation,the system either increases or decreases a drive current for the lowfrequency first electromagnetic signals 22 to equalize the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 at a desired boundary of the driver zone 42and/or the reduced driver zone 42A.

Referring again to FIG. 9A, the first plurality of antennae 24 aresymmetrically placed within the first vehicle 14. In an example, theboundary of the reduced driver zone 42A is desired to be adjusted tocreate a larger area (e.g., to include all of the front center console).The boundary of the reduced driver zone 42A may be adjusted by adding amultiplier value to the RSSI values 36 of a particular antenna. Forexample, a multiplier value of 1.2 may be applied to the RSSI values 36from antenna 24B to increase a width of the reduced driver zone 42A bytwenty percent. The controller circuit 18 applies the multiplier valueto a decision logic to determine whether the communication device 12 iswithin the adjusted reduced driver zone 42A.

According to the examples described above, where the detection module 16is included as part of communication device 12 and/or is part of anaccessory of communication device 12 (e.g., a case or battery), thedetection module 16 may be used not only for determining the relativeposition 21 of communication device 12 within the first vehicle 14 (andfor the plurality of vehicles) as described herein, the detection module16 may also be used to perform functionality of a PEPS and/or RKE device(e.g., a key fob). That is, the detection module further includes RKEfunctions and/or includes PEPS functions for the plurality of vehicles.For example, the detection module 16 may be configured to receive thelow frequency first electromagnetic signals 22 to determine whether ornot to unlock the first and/or second vehicle 14, 15, remotely start theengine of the first and/or second vehicle 14, 15, or other functionalitytypically associated with a remote key fob. In an example, the firsttransceiver 30 in the first vehicle 14 is configured to receive thethird electromagnetic signals 28 from a remote keyless entry (RKE)system located in the detection device 10, and the second transceiver 31in the second vehicle 15 is configured to receive the fourthelectromagnetic signals 29 from the remote keyless entry (RKE) systemlocated in the detection device 10. In another example, the firstplurality of antennae 24 are further configured to transmit the firstelectromagnetic signals to a passive entry passive start (PEPS) systemlocated on the detection device 10, and the second plurality of antennae25 are further configured to transmit the second electromagnetic signals23 to the passive entry passive start (PEPS) system located on thedetection device 10. In addition, in examples where the detection module16 is installed in the communication device 12, installed in the batteryof the communication device 12, and/or installed in an accessory ofcommunication device 12, the communication device 12 can serve a dualpurpose, replacing the key fob and/or also allowing for localization ofcommunication device 12 for the plurality of vehicles.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a method 200 ofoperating a detection device 10.

Step 202, RECEIVE FIRST SIGNALS, includes receiving the firstelectromagnetic signals 22 from the first plurality of antennae 24located within an interior of the first vehicle 14 with a first antenna20, as described above. The detection module 16 is communicativelycoupled with the communication device 12, and in an example is installedin the communication device 12. In an example, the detection module 16further includes PEPS and/or RKE functions for the first vehicle 14 asdescribed above.

Step 204, DETERMINE POSITION, includes determining, with a controllercircuit 18 communicatively coupled with the detection module 16 and thecommunication device 12, a position 21 of the communication device 12within the interior of the first vehicle 14. The position 21 is based onthe first electromagnetic signals 22 and is relative to a location ofthe communication device 12 with respect to locations of the firstplurality of antennae 24, as described above. The controller circuit 18determines that the position 21 of the communication device 12 is withina driver zone 42 based on RSSI values 36 of the first plurality ofantennae 24 as described above. In some examples, the controller circuit18 reduces the driver zone 42 to exclude a front passenger seat when thefront passenger seat is occupied, as described above. In some examples,the controller circuit 18 restricts a function of the communicationdevice 12 based on the position 21 within the first vehicle 14, asdescribed above.

Step 206, RECEIVE SECOND SIGNALS, includes receiving the secondelectromagnetic signals 23 from the second plurality of antennae 25located within an interior of the second vehicle 15 with the firstantenna 20, as described above. In an example, the detection module 16further includes PEPS and/or remote keyless entry functions for thesecond vehicle 15 as described above.

Step 208, DETERMINE POSITION, includes determining, with the controllercircuit 18, a position 21 of the communication device 12 within theinterior of the second vehicle 15. The position 21 is based on thesecond electromagnetic signals 23 and is relative to a location of thecommunication device 12 with respect to locations of the secondplurality of antennae 25, as described above. The controller circuit 18determines that the position 21 of the communication device 12 is withina driver zone 42 based on RSSI values 36 of the second plurality ofantennae 25 as described above. In some examples, the controller circuit18 reduces the driver zone 42 to exclude a front passenger seat when thefront passenger seat is occupied, as described above. In some examples,the controller circuit 18 restricts a function of the communicationdevice 12 based on the position 21 within the second vehicle 15, asdescribed above.

Accordingly, a detection device 10 and a detection method 200 areprovided. The detection device 10 is an improvement over other detectiondevices because the detection device 10 determines that thecommunication device 12 is within the driver zone 42 and may distractthe driver, and may be used with multiple vehicles.

While this invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but ratheronly to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. “One or more”includes a function being performed by one element, a function beingperformed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion,several functions being performed by one element, several functionsbeing performed by several elements, or any combination of the above. Itwill also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contactcould be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact couldbe termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of thevarious described embodiments. The first contact and the second contactare both contacts, but they are not the same contact. The terminologyused in the description of the various described embodiments herein isfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting. As used in the description of the variousdescribed embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”,“an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unlessthe context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood thatthe term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and allpossible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,”“comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term“if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in responseto determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated conditionor event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Clauses

1. A detection device, comprising:

at least one detection module communicatively coupled with acommunication device;

-   -   the at least one detection module including at least one        controller circuit communicatively coupled with a first antenna;    -   the first antenna configured to receive first electromagnetic        signals from a first plurality of antennae located within an        interior of a first vehicle;    -   the first antenna further configured to receive second        electromagnetic signals from a second plurality of antennae        located and within an interior of a second vehicle; wherein    -   the at least one controller circuit is configured to determine a        position of the communication device within the interior of the        first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of        antennae, based on the first electromagnetic signals received by        the first antenna, and determine a position of the communication        device within the interior of the second vehicle relative to        locations of the second plurality of antennae, based on the        second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.        2. The detection device of clause 1, wherein the at least one        controller circuit is further communicatively coupled with a        second antenna;    -   the second antenna configured to transmit and receive third        electromagnetic signals between the at least one controller        circuit and transceivers located on the first vehicle and the        second vehicle; wherein    -   the at least one controller circuit is further configured to        transmit communications to the first vehicle and the second        vehicle based on the first electromagnetic signals and the        second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.        3. The detection device of clause 2, wherein the at least one        detection module further includes remote keyless entry (RKE)        functions.        4. The detection device of any one of clause 2 to 3, wherein the        at least one detection module further includes passive entry        passive start (PEPS) functions.        5. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the detection device includes a plurality of detection        modules.        6. The detection device of clause 5, wherein each of the        plurality of detection modules is communicatively coupled with a        separate first antenna.        7. The detection device of any one of clause 5 to 6, wherein        each of the plurality of detection modules are communicatively        coupled to a same first antenna.        8. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the detection device further includes a memory        communicatively coupled with the at least one controller        circuit.        9. The detection device of clause 8, wherein the memory has a        plurality of programs associated with each of the first vehicle        and the second vehicle.        10. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the at least one controller circuit is configured to        restrict a function of the communication device based on the        position.        11. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the first plurality of antennae are configured to        broadcast the first electromagnetic signals from a first        transmitter, and the second plurality of antennae are configured        to broadcast the second electromagnetic signals from a second        transmitter.        12. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the at least one detection module is installed in the        communication device.        13. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the at least one detection module is installed in a        battery of the communication device.        14. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the at least one detection module is installed in an        accessory of the communication device.        15. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the first plurality of antennae are further configured        to receive the first electromagnetic signals from a remote        keyless entry (RKE) system located in the detection device, and        the second plurality of antennae are further configured to        receive the second electromagnetic signals from the remote        keyless entry (RKE) system located in the detection device.        16. The detection device of any one of the preceding clauses,        wherein the first plurality of antennae are further configured        to transmit the first electromagnetic signals to a passive entry        passive start (PEPS) system located on the detection device, and        the second plurality of antennae are further configured to        transmit the second electromagnetic signals to the passive entry        passive start (PEPS) system located on the detection device.        17. A method of using a detection device, comprising:    -   receiving, with a first antenna, first electromagnetic signals        from a first plurality of antennae located within an interior of        a first vehicle;        -   the first antenna communicatively coupled with at least one            controller circuit;            -   the at least one controller circuit included in at least                one detection module;                -   the at least one detection module communicatively                    coupled with a communication device;    -   determining, with the at least one controller circuit, a        position of the communication device within the interior of the        first vehicle relative to locations of the first plurality of        antennae, based on the first electromagnetic signals received by        the first antenna;    -   receiving, with the first antenna, second electromagnetic        signals from a second plurality of antennae located and within        an interior of a second vehicle; and    -   determining, with the at least one controller circuit, a        position of the communication device within the interior of the        second vehicle relative to locations of the second plurality of        antennae, based on the second electromagnetic signals received        by the first antenna.        18. The method of clause 17, wherein the at least one controller        circuit is further communicatively coupled with a second        antenna;    -   the second antenna configured to transmit and receive third        electromagnetic signals between the at least one controller        circuit and transceivers located on the first vehicle and the        second vehicle; wherein    -   the at least one controller circuit is further configured to        transmit communications to the first vehicle and the second        vehicle based on the first electromagnetic signals and the        second electromagnetic signals received by the first antenna.        19. The method of clause 18, wherein the at least one detection        module further includes remote keyless entry (RKE) functions.        20. The method of any one of clause 18 to 19, wherein the at        least one detection module further includes passive entry        passive start (PEPS) functions.        21. The method of any one of clause 17 to 20, wherein the        detection device includes a plurality of detection modules.        22. The method of clause 21, wherein each of the plurality of        detection modules is communicatively coupled with a separate        first antenna.        23. The method of any one of clause 21 to 22, wherein each of        the plurality of detection modules are communicatively coupled        to a same first antenna.        24. The method of any one of clause 17 to 23, wherein the        detection device further includes a memory communicatively        coupled with the at least one controller circuit.        25. The method of clause 24, wherein the memory has a plurality        of programs associated with each of the first vehicle and the        second vehicle.        26. The method of any one of clause 17 to 25, wherein the at        least one controller circuit is configured to restrict a        function of the communication device based on the position.        27. The method of any one of clause 17 to 26, wherein the first        plurality of antennae are configured to broadcast the first        electromagnetic signals from a first transmitter, and the second        plurality of antennae are configured to broadcast the second        electromagnetic signals from a second transmitter.        28. The method of any one of clause 17 to 27, wherein the at        least one detection module is installed in the communication        device.        29. The method of any one of clause 17 to 29, wherein the at        least one detection module is installed in a battery of the        communication device.        30. The method of any one of clause 17 to 29, wherein the at        least one detection module is installed in an accessory of the        communication device.        31. The method of any one of clause 17 to 30, wherein the first        plurality of antennae are further configured to receive the        first electromagnetic signals from a remote keyless entry (RKE)        system located in the detection device, and the second plurality        of antennae are further configured to receive the second        electromagnetic signals from the remote keyless entry (RKE)        system located in the detection device.        32. The method of any one of clause 17 to 31, wherein the first        plurality of antennae are further configured to transmit the        first electromagnetic signals to a passive entry passive start        (PEPS) system located on the detection device, and the second        plurality of antennae are further configured to transmit the        second electromagnetic signals to the passive entry passive        start (PEPS) system located on the detection device.

We claim:
 1. A detection device comprising: at least one antennaconfigured to receive electromagnetic signals from a plurality ofantennae located within an interior of a vehicle; at least onecontroller circuit communicatively coupled with the at least one antennaand configured to: identify a driver zone that includes a front driverseat of the vehicle and a front passenger seat of the vehicle, the frontpassenger seat being adjacent to the front driver seat of the vehicle;identify a reduced driver zone within the vehicle that excludes thefront passenger seat; determine, based on the electromagnetic signalsreceived by the at least one antenna, a position of a communicationdevice within the interior of the vehicle relative to locations of theplurality of antennae; detect whether the front passenger seat isoccupied; detect whether the communication device is within the driverzone or the reduced driver zone; and responsive to detecting that thefront passenger seat is unoccupied and that the communication device iswithin the driver zone, inhibit at least some function of thecommunication device.
 2. The detection device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one controller circuit is configured to: determine a location ofthe communication device within another vehicle responsive to detectingthat the front passenger seat of the other vehicle is unoccupied andthat the communication device is within a driver zone of the othervehicle; and inhibit at least some function of the communication device.3. The detection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein theplurality of antennae comprise remote keyless entry (RKE) antennae. 4.The detection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pluralityof antennae comprise passive entry passive start (PEPS) antennae.
 5. Thedetection device of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna comprisesa plurality of antennae coupled to respective groups of the plurality ofantennae located within the interior of the vehicle.
 6. The detectiondevice of claim 1, further comprising a memory communicatively coupledwith the at least one controller circuit comprising a plurality ofprograms associated with the vehicle.
 7. The detection device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the detection device is disposed withinthe communication device.
 8. The detection device in accordance withclaim 7, wherein the detection device is disposed within a battery ofthe communication device.
 9. The detection device in accordance withclaim 7, wherein the detection device is disposed within an accessory ofthe communication device.
 10. A method of using a detection device,comprising: identifying a driver zone that includes a front driver seatof a vehicle and a front passenger seat of the vehicle, the frontpassenger seat being adjacent to the front driver seat of the vehicle;identifying a reduced driver zone within the vehicle that excludes thefront passenger seat; receiving, with an antenna, electromagneticsignals from a plurality of antennae located within an interior of avehicle; the antenna communicatively coupled with at least onecontroller circuit; the at least one controller circuit included in atleast one detection module that is communicatively coupled with acommunication device; determining, with the at least one controllercircuit and based on the electromagnetic signals received by theantenna, a position of the communication device within the interior ofthe vehicle relative to locations of the plurality of antennae;detecting whether the front passenger seat is occupied; detectingwhether the communication device is within the driver zone or thereduced driver zone; and responsive to detecting that the frontpassenger seat is unoccupied and that the communication device is withinthe driver zone, inhibiting at least some function of the communicationdevice.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein: the at least one controllercircuit is further configured to: determine a location of thecommunication device within another vehicle responsive to detecting thatthe front passenger seat of the other vehicle is unoccupied and that thecommunication device is within a driver zone of the other vehicle; andinhibit, at least some function of the communication device.
 12. Themethod in accordance with claim 10, wherein the plurality of antennaeare remote keyless entry (RKE) antennae.
 13. The method in accordancewith claim 10, wherein the plurality of antennae are passive entrypassive start (PEPS) antennae.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein theantenna comprises a plurality of antennae couple to respective groups ofthe plurality of antennae located within the interior of the vehicle.15. The method of claim 10, further comprising a memory communicativelycoupled with the at least one controller circuit comprising a pluralityof programs associated with the vehicle.
 16. The method in accordancewith claim 10, wherein the detection device is disposed within thecommunication device.
 17. The method in accordance with claim 16,wherein the detection device is disposed within a battery of thecommunication device.
 18. The method in accordance with claim 16,wherein the detection device is disposed within an accessory of thecommunication device.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least oneprocessor to: identify a driver zone that includes a front driver seatof a vehicle and a front passenger seat of the vehicle, the frontpassenger seat being adjacent to the front driver seat of the vehicle;identify a reduced driver zone within the vehicle that excludes thefront passenger seat; determine, based on electromagnetic signalsreceived by at least one antenna, a position of a communication devicewithin an interior of the vehicle relative to locations of a pluralityof antennae; detect whether the front passenger seat is occupied; detectwhether the communication device is within the driver zone or thereduced driver zone; and responsive to detecting that the frontpassenger seat is unoccupied and that the communication device is withinthe driver zone, inhibit at least some function of the communicationdevice.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim19, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the at leastone processor to: determine a location of the communication devicewithin another vehicle responsive to detecting that the front passengerseat of the other vehicle is unoccupied and that the communicationdevice is within a driver zone of the other vehicle; and inhibit, atleast some function of the communication device.